my fxdls se 117 install step by step
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 534
Likes: 35
From: Western Australia
Excellent post. l'm guessing the kit itself comes with pretty comprehensive instructions as well?
lf you weren't taking pics, how long to do reckon it would take to do it?
lf you weren't taking pics, how long to do reckon it would take to do it?
Last edited by petefwa; Feb 6, 2017 at 04:21 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 259
From: Northstreet, michigan
The kits instructions are a joke. They consist of a set of instructions for each part, and it says remove _______ see service manual ________ removal procedure. I'm not sure how long it would have taken, but I read a lot, and double & triple checked everything I possibly could. Ball park I'd say about ten hours for my first, if I was only reading torque specs and didn't have any minor set backs, I'd estimate 6 ish. Now I can't wait to break it in cause I wanna see what this baby's got.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 259
From: Northstreet, michigan
absolutely. I'm curious myself. I will definitely keep everyone updated between that, dyno numbers when the time comes, and anything else I come across. I'm excited to say my lifter noise appears to be gone at this point. It was pretty wicked.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 259
From: Northstreet, michigan
Thank you. I talked about doing this upgrade for quite a while so it's nice to finally have it done. Lol surprised nobody's said "it's about time". Thanks again for your insight/advice when I first started askin questions. And thank you to all who have answered my questions before I bought the kit.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,932
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From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
Just out of Curiosity, did you install aftermarket lifters or just reinstalled the factory ones?
"IF" you used the stock ones, just keep an ear out for them as many have gone south with little to no mileage.
ONCE you get your new motor broken in, it might be wise to get a full face helmet to hide that big old chit eating grin on your face! (If you have one already) lol.
Enjoy!
YB
"IF" you used the stock ones, just keep an ear out for them as many have gone south with little to no mileage.
ONCE you get your new motor broken in, it might be wise to get a full face helmet to hide that big old chit eating grin on your face! (If you have one already) lol.
Enjoy!
YB
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 259
From: Northstreet, michigan
No I used the se lifters that came in the kit. If the lifter noise returns I will switch to adjustable pushrods, and see how those run. No need for a full face, my grin is already covered by an over compensating tough guy scowl lol. No seriously though, even with the 110, whenever I stomped on it I just couldn't stop the ear to ear smile. Still can't believe how much faster the extra 7 ci makes. Now I'm really excited.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Northern VA
For some reason I had it in my head you were a car mechanic not a motorcycle mechanic. Was this your first time in a Harley engine? Did you hit any of the usual snags like getting the TB bolts out? What was the crank runout? I've only been into two engines so far the Twin Cam and a DOHC '82 Yamaha. Between the two I much prefer the Harley. The service manual is great but it is annoying how it makes you jump around when doing something like big bore + cams. I wish it was structured such that if you were doing the engine bottom up you could just keep turning the page for the next step and torque values, etc. Last time I was in mine I didn't even really look at it except for the torque values, though.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 259
From: Northstreet, michigan
For some reason I had it in my head you were a car mechanic not a motorcycle mechanic. Was this your first time in a Harley engine? Did you hit any of the usual snags like getting the TB bolts out? What was the crank runout? I've only been into two engines so far the Twin Cam and a DOHC '82 Yamaha. Between the two I much prefer the Harley. The service manual is great but it is annoying how it makes you jump around when doing something like big bore + cams. I wish it was structured such that if you were doing the engine bottom up you could just keep turning the page for the next step and torque values, etc. Last time I was in mine I didn't even really look at it except for the torque values, though.
thats ts right I am a mechanic at a Chrysler dealer. I am certified as a master automotive, master HD truck, and master motorcycle mechanic. To be completely honest, I only got the motorcycle certifications so if I need something warrantied, it was "professionally" installed. This was my first time in a Harley engine. I've removed primary chain cases before, but not engine/trans. Luckily I didn't hit any snags. The tb bolts were easy on the right side since I removed the sensor (used an Allen key, with long 1/4 extension and ratchet) however I couldn't fit anything on the left side except a small Allen wrench. Crank runout was just under .002. I agree 100% on the SM structure. I didn't really use it either though. Aside from torque specs/sequence, and component positioning like lifters, piston ring gap positions, etc. however I read those few things ALOT. Just had to be 100% certain everything was positioned correctly. being educated in automotive repair, I already had a pretty good understanding of the order in which to tear down the components. I'm still shocked at how easy this install was. I mean it was all just nuts and bolts. That's why I said if I can do it, anyone can. I really hope this thread inspires and helps others who want this upgrade to do it themselves. If it helps even one person, it was well worth the time it took to take pictures and post everything I did.